American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® are both excellent choices for earning AAdvantage miles. The AA Platinum Select is the better option for frequent travelers due to its superior airline perks, including free checked bags and priority boarding. It offers 3X miles on American Airlines purchases and valuable travel benefits.

However, the AA MileUp card is a strong contender for those seeking no annual fee and rewards on groceries. Its 2X miles on groceries and American Airlines purchases make it appealing for everyday spenders.

The AA MileUp is better for individuals who want to earn American Airlines miles without paying an annual fee. It suits those who make frequent grocery purchases, as it offers 2X miles on groceries and American Airlines purchases. However, it may not be the best choice for those who frequently travel internationally due to its 3% foreign transaction fee and lack of travel perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.

The AA Platinum Select is better for frequent American Airlines travelers who value travel perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. This card offers 3X miles on American Airlines purchases and no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travelers. However, it may not be suitable for those who cannot meet the $20,000 spending requirement to earn companion certificates or prefer a card without an annual fee.

A point-by-point comparison helps you see how each card's features align with your needs. For instance, if you frequently buy groceries, the AA MileUp offers 2X miles on those purchases. The AA Platinum Select focuses on travel perks with 3X miles on American Airlines purchases.

The AA Platinum Select card generally offers better rewards value due to its higher earning rates on dining and gas purchases. Both cards earn miles in the American AAdvantage program, valued at approximately 1.6 cents each. This makes them appealing to those who frequently fly with American Airlines.

The AA MileUp card stands out for grocery purchases, offering 2 miles per dollar spent, which can be beneficial for everyday spending. However, the AA Platinum Select card provides more opportunities to earn miles across various categories, making it more versatile for diverse spending habits.

The table below details the reward categories for each card, allowing for a quick visual comparison.

The AA Platinum Select allows you to redeem miles for flights to over 1,000 destinations. However, be mindful that miles expire if not used or earned every 18 months. In contrast, the AA MileUp card offers broader redemption options, including flights, upgrades and vacation packages, with miles that never expire.

The AA Platinum Select offers superior benefits for frequent flyers, with perks like free checked bags for up to eight companions and preferred boarding. In contrast, the AA MileUp card provides loyalty points and inflight discounts, appealing to budget-conscious travelers and everyday optimizers.

Status

• Earn one loyalty point for every eligible mile spent

Credits & Discounts

• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card

All Other Perks

• No limit to the number of AAdvantage® miles you can earn

Travel Perks

• Free checked first bags for you and up to eight companions on domestic American Airlines flights
• Priority check-in, screening and boarding when flying with American Airlines

Status

• Earn one Loyalty Point for every eligible mile earned from purchases

Credits & Discounts

• $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 or more during the card membership year
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the "Airline" category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.